BMW R75/5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW R75/5 car check
Is the BMW R75/5 reliable? We analysed 1,001 real MOT tests across 163 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW R75/5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW R75/5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and throttle operating incorrectly. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW R75/5.
BMW R75/5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW R75/5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW R75/5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW R75/5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW R75/5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW R75/5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW R75/5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW R75/5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW R75/5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW R75/5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 133 | 93.2% | 17,080 | 32,495 | 55,929 |
| 1973 | 306 | 91.8% | 29,746 | 51,598 | 76,037 |
| 1972 | 179 | 92.2% | 22,459 | 31,865 | 51,607 |
| 1971 | 71 | 90.1% | 25,336 | 31,819 | 46,492 |
How Long Does a BMW R75/5 Last?
Based on 163 BMW R75/5 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW R75/5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW R75/5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW R75/5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.2% MOT pass rate from 133 tests
90.1% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW R75/5 is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.2% across 133 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW R75/5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R75/5 THIS CAR | 90.8% | 1,001 | 36,256 mi | 55 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Norton 16H | 93.3% | 642 | 5,513 mi | 80 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW R75/5 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW R75/5 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW R75/5Should you buy a used BMW R75/5?
The BMW R75/5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.8% across 1,001 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the BMW R75/5 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (5), and throttle operating incorrectly (3). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical BMW R75/5 owner drives around 359 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW R75/5 models stay on UK roads for around 55 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.